Ecology: Biosphere Flashcards
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| 15016301708 | Biosphere | -all living organisms on Earth & environments in which they live -sandwiched between lithosphere & troposphere |  | 0 |
| 15016307994 | Lithosphere | -below surface; Earth's surface crust & upper mantle |  | 1 |
| 15016318864 | Troposphere | -lowest layer of atmosphere |  | 2 |
| 15016322569 | Biomes | -large-scaled biological communities shaped by physical environment -reflect climate variation & characterized by plant growth forms | 3 | |
| 15016335536 | Why are Biomes based on Plant Morphology? | -plants immobile -good indicators of physical environment (climate zones & rates of disturbance) --> strong variation in plant form based on these factors -large & visible -long living | 4 | |
| 15016358956 | What are the 9 Biomes? | -Tropical Rainforest -Tropical Seasonal Forest & Savanna -Desert -Temperate Grassland -Temperate shrubland & woodland -Temperate Deciduous Forest -Temperate Evergreen Forest -Boreal Forest -Tundra | 5 | |
| 15016380220 | Plant Form: Deciduous Trees | -*Environment*: moist, seasonally warm/cool or cool/cold, fertile soils -*Seasonal*: warm, seasonally wet/dry -*Adaptation*: drop leaves during cold/dry period --> kind of wasteful, so only do this b/c they're in fertile soil -when they drop leaf tissue don't have to maintain it, but will eventually need to rebuild it so will need to be in fertile soil |  | 6 |
| 15016409625 | Plant Form: Needle-Leaved Evergreen Trees | -*Environment*: moist -*Seasonal*: warm/cool or cool/cold; infertile soil -*Adaptation*: retain photosynthetic tissues (leaves) year-round --> don't live in nutrient rich soil so can't waste leaves |  | 7 |
| 15016426633 | Plant Form: Grasses/Sedges | -*Environment*: moist -*Seasonal*: warm/cool w/ fire -*Adaptation*: grow from base of their leaves --> when fire sweeps through doesn't destroy plant from underground, so grass can grow back up |  | 8 |
| 15016448568 | Plant Form: Cacti & Shrubs, Succulents | -*Environment*: dry -*Seasonal*: hot/cool -*Adaptation*: stems & leaves contain water storage tissue --> retain water in dry environments |  | 9 |
| 15016463911 | Plant Forms: Sclerophyllous Shrubs | -*Seasonal*: dry/moist & warm/cool --> dry periods coincide w/ warm summer periods -*Adaptation*: tough, leathery leaves: can photosynthesize in hot & dry conditions w/o wilting |  | 10 |
| 15016485312 | Plant Form: Forbs | -*Seasonal*: cool/cold; Ex: Canada -*Adaptation*: broad-leaved herbaceous (non-woody) plants, so do better in cooler environments | 11 | |
| 15016502121 | Plant Form: Evergreen Broad-Leaved Trees | -*Seasonal*: wet, warm year-round -*Adaptation*: photosynthesis year round --> have to be in environment where have good conditions for photosynthesis all the time | 12 | |
| 15016527432 | What are the major determinants of biomes? | -variation in temperature -variation in precipitation | 13 | |
| 15016534529 | Biomes & Temperature | -*High Temps*: tropical biomes -*Intermediate Temps*: temperate forests -*Low Temps*: tundra & boreal forests | 14 | |
| 15016545386 | Biomes & Precipitation | -*High Precipitation*: rainforests -*Intermediate Precipitation*: tropical seasonal forests -*Low Precipitation*: deserts/tundra | 15 | |
| 15016559885 | What are the minor determinants of biomes? | -soil texture/chemistry -proximity to mountains -proximity to water bodies | 16 | |
| 15016572818 | Wet conditions along equator/region of uplift | -tropical rainforest -hottest & wettest | 17 | |
| 15016575737 | Wet Summer/Dry Winter regions | -tropical seasonal forests | 18 | |
| 15016580531 | Dry Regions of Subsidence | -deserts | 19 | |
| 15016583616 | Dry Summer/Wet Winter | -temperate scrublands & woodlands (Mediterranean) | 20 | |
| 15016594231 | Wet Zone 60 N/S | -boreal forest | 21 | |
| 15016596829 | Dry Zone @ poles | -Tundra | 22 | |
| 15016603134 | Where are Tropical Rainforests Located? | Between 10 N & S | 23 | |
| 15016611013 | Tropical Rainforest Climate | ->> 200 mm precipitation -evenly throughout year or in 1-2 main peaks -warm, seasonally invariant temperatures | 24 | |
| 15016620912 | Tropical Rainforest Characteristics | -most productive ecosystem on Earth -50% of Earth's species -37% of terrestrial carbon -11% of vegetative cover -broad-leaved evergreen & deciduous trees |  | 25 |
| 15016639126 | What are the 5 layers of plants in Tropical Rainforests? | -Emergent Layer -Canopy -Lianas & Epiphytes -Understory -Shrubs & Forbs | 26 | |
| 15016646364 | Emergent Layer | -trees rising above majority of rest |  | 27 |
| 15016648489 | Canopy | -leaves of evergreen trees, majority of forest |  | 28 |
| 15016658463 | Lianas & Epiphytes | -woody vines & plants that grow on other plants -hang off canopy layer |  | 29 |
| 15016665043 | Understory | -grow in shade of canopy |  | 30 |
| 15016668871 | Shrubs & forbs | -broad-leaved herbaceous plants | 31 | |
| 15016682108 | Where are Tropical Seasonal Forests & Savannas Located? | -23.5 N & S | 32 | |
| 15016686409 | Climate of Tropical Seasonal Forests & Savannas | -seasonal rainfall: wet summer, dry winter -shifting ITCZ | 33 | |
| 15016696026 | Characteristics of Tropical Seasonal Forests/Savannas | -lower tree densities -shorter trees -more drought deciduousness -more grasses/shrubs |  | 34 |
| 15016710625 | What are the 3 Vegetation Complexes in Tropical Seasonal Forests/Savannas? | -Tropical Dry Forest -Thorn Woodland -Tropical Savannah | 35 | |
| 15016715518 | Tropical Dry Forest | -shortest dry season -dominated by broadleaf deciduous trees -leaves drop in dry season |  | 36 |
| 15016724776 | Thorn Woodland | -intermediate length of dry season -widely spaced trees & shrubs -thorns on trees protect from herbivores | 37 | |
| 15016734980 | Tropical Savannah | -longest dry season -frequent fires -grasses intermixed w/ trees & shrubs -herbivore grazing & flooding --> may not be true of all savannahs |  | 38 |
| 15016749161 | Where are Deserts located? | -30 N & S : subsidence from Hadley Cell | 39 | |
| 15016753429 | Climate of Deserts | -very low precipitation -periods of high temperature -sparse population of plants & animals but can still have high species diversity |  | 40 |
| 15016768362 | Types of plants in desert | -succulents --> store water in stems -drought deciduous shrubs & grasses --> drop leaves -short-lived annuals --> get reproduction out of way before it gets super hot ` | 41 | |
| 15016778390 | Where are Temperate Grasslands Located? | -30 - 50 N & S | 42 | |
| 15016784288 | Climate of Temperate Grasslands | -seasonal precipitation: wet summer/dry winter --> rain comes at good time for growth -greater seasonal temperature variation; periods of sub-freezing temps -fires & grazing prevent forest encroachment | 43 | |
| 15016798039 | Characteristics of Temperate Grasslands | -most human-influenced biome on Earth --> fertile & good for growth of corn/wheat -dominated by grasses -ex: Midwestern Prairies basically don't exist b/c o human intervention |  | 44 |
| 15016821052 | Where are Temperate Shrubs & Woodlands located? | -30 - 40 N & S | 45 | |
| 15016823745 | Climate of Temperate Shrubs & Woodlands | -seasonal precipitation: dry summers, wet winters --> rain during winter so not great for growth -Mediterranean like climate --> WINE (California & Europe) | 46 | |
| 15016838999 | Characteristics of Temperate Shrubs & Woodlands | -fires common & may promote persistence -associated w/ rain shadow: wet, moist air goes up over mountain, loses its rain, comes down on other side resulting in drier areas -evergreen shrubs & trees -Sclerophyllous Shrubs |  | 47 |
| 15016858816 | Grassland | -rain coincides w/ growing season | 48 | |
| 15016860956 | Shrubland | -rain doesn't coincide w/ growing season | 49 | |
| 15016864489 | Where are Temperate Deciduous Forests? | -30 - 50 N -where we live -not in Southern Hemisphere --> lack landmass at appropriate latitudes | 50 | |
| 15016876871 | Temperate Deciduous Forest Climate | -high rainfall -seasonal temperature variation -extended periods of freezing (Canada) | 51 | |
| 15016887161 | Temperate Deciduous Forest Characteristics | -fertile soils --> can shed leaves -deciduous trees: oak, maple, beech -canopy trees, shorter trees, shrubs & forbs |  | 52 |
| 15016902712 | Where are Temperate Evergreen Forests? | Between 30-50 N & S | 53 | |
| 15016905934 | Climate of Temperate Evergreen Forests | -wide range of temperatures: warm coastal zones & cool continental/maritime climates -wide range of precipitation: 500 - 4000 mm; some are "temperate rainforests" --> Pacific Coast of US | 54 | |
| 15016923737 | Characteristics of Temperate Evergreen Forests | -nutrient poor soil --> can't shed leaves, acidic nature of leaves -some maintained by fire -*Northern Hemisphere*: needle-leaved conifers -*Southern Hemisphere*: more diverse (beech, eucalyptus, cedar, podocarps) -less diverse than tropical or temperate deciduous forests b/c nutrient poor soil |  | 55 |
| 15016945011 | Where are Boreal forests located? | -Above 50 N -border between wet & dry regions | 56 | |
| 15016954338 | Characteristics of Boreal Forests (Taiga) | -continuous subfreezing temperatures --> up to 6 months of year, soils regularly freeze -permafrost -low precipitation -low water drainage --> moist to saturated soils ; not a lot of rain, but also have low water drainage meaning soil frozen most of time | 57 | |
| 15016971500 | Permafrost | -subsurface soil layer that remains frozen year round for at least 3 years | 58 | |
| 15016976008 | Boreal Forest Characteristics | -coniferous species (spruce, pine larch) --> resist damage from winter freezing -deciduous birch forests -only in Northern Hemisphere -largest biome in area -1/3 of Earth's forests |  | 59 |
| 15016994927 | Where is the Tundra? | -above 65 N -above the tree line --> low growing season temps/other soil & climate conditions | 60 | |
| 15016998479 | Tundra Climate | -cold temps -low precipitation --> border on polar desert -permafrost | 61 | |
| 15017018271 | Tundra Characteristics | -largest pristine region on Earth -not a lot of "big" vegetation b/c have permafrost & low precipitation --> sedges, forbs, grasses, shrubs, lichens, mosses -*regions w/ permafrost*: wet despite low precipitation--> permafrost prevents percolation -*regions w/o permafrost or w/coarse soil*:dry, polar desert, higher latitudes |  | 62 |
| 15017054042 | What is unique about Mountains? | -impact temperature & precipitation -slightly like latitude: going up in elevation similar to going up in latitude (N Hemisphere) & down in latitude (S Hemisphere) | 63 | |
| 15017065733 | What are the elevational bands in mountains? | -Lower Montaine Zone: like grasslands -Montaine Zone: temperate evergreen & deciduous forest -Subapline Zone: boreal forest -Alpine Zone: like tundra but has higher wind speeds, more intense solar radiation, & lower O2 and CO2 | 64 | |
| 15017086061 | Factors that determine Freshwater Biological Zones | -Velocity -Temperature -Clarity -Chemistry: salinity, oxygen concentration, nutrient status, pH | 65 | |
| 15017090077 | Lotic | -flowing water ecosystems -rivers & streams |  | 66 |
| 15017095126 | Lentic | -still water ecosystems -lakes & ponds |  | 67 |
| 15017099354 | Riffles | -fast-moving portions of stream flowing over coarse particles (increased O2 input) | 68 | |
| 15017105072 | Pools | -deeper portions of stream where water flows more slowly over fine sediment (decreased O2 input) | 69 | |
| 15017113849 | Lotic Systems | -streams have orders -smallest streams are highest order (1) -as combine, form more orders -ex: Nile, Mississippi are 6th order or higher | 70 | |
| 15017125916 | What happens as stream order increases? | -input of detritus from adjacent vegetation decreases relative to water volume -particle size in bed decreases -aquatic plant growth increases | 71 | |
| 15017142876 | Shredders | -organisms that tear & chew leaves -found in lower order streams b/c have coarse terrestrial detritus | 72 | |
| 15017151355 | Collectors | -organisms that collect fine particles from water -fine organic matter, algae, macrophytes downstream -higher order streams b/c more water & less detritus | 73 | |
| 15017170624 | Main Channel | -middle of stream | 74 | |
| 15017172728 | Benthic Zone | -bottom of stream, invertebrates | 75 | |
| 15017176299 | Hyoprheic Zone | -substrate below/adjacent to stream; rotifers & copepods insects | 76 | |
| 15017185453 | Oxbow Lake | -formed when river ceases to flow through former channel -gets cut off, so stagnates & forms a lake |  | 77 |
| 15017191832 | What are most temperate & polar lakes formed by? | -glaciers | 78 | |
| 15017194066 | What are the zones in a lake? | -Pelagic -Benthic -Photic -Littoral -communities differ based on depth & light | 79 | |
| 15017199262 | Pelagic Zone | -open water |  | 80 |
| 15017202034 | Benthic Zone (lake) | -bottom of lake |  | 81 |
| 15017204600 | Photic Zone | -surface layer of water where enough light can get to for photosynthesis | | 82 |
| 15017212321 | Littoral Zone | -nearshore zone where photic zone reaches lake bottom | | 83 |
| 15017217340 | Phytoplankton | -photosynthetic microorganisms suspended in water | 84 | |
| 15017219406 | Zooplankton | -tiny animals & non-photosynthetic protists -can grow anywhere | 85 | |
| 15017228148 | Macrophytes | -aquatic vascular plants -need some & some space to grow out; settle into bottom & root down | 86 | |
| 15017234744 | Marine Biological zones | -71% of Earth's surface -marine organisms widely dispersed -not easily organized into biological units -light availability, water depth, stability of bottom substrate | 87 | |
| 15017246275 | What are the Nearshore Marine Biological zones? | -Estuaries -Salt Marshes -Mangrove Forests -Rocky Intertidal Zones -Sandy Shores | 88 | |
| 15017252104 | Estuaries | -junction of river w/ ocean -high productivity b/c of variation in salinity; trapped terrestrial sediment; high |  | 89 |
| 15017259987 | Salt Marshes | -formed by terrestrial sediments carried to shorelines by rivers -vascular plants including grasses, rushes & broad-leaved herbs -high productivity -periodic flooding -highest portions most saline b/c flood less frequently -salt deposited during flood & remains after evaporation |  | 90 |
| 15017280969 | Mangrove Forests | -shallow coastal estuaries and mudflats in tropical & subtropical regions -salt-tolerant evergreen trees & shrubs together called mangroves |  | 91 |
| 15017289628 | Rocky Intertidal Zones | -rocky shorelines -stable substrate to which animals and algae anchor -organisms exhibit tolerance to temp change, change in salinity, desiccation, and waves --> tide keeps going up & down , salt levels change -Pacific Coast |  | 92 |
| 15017307778 | Intertidal | -part of shoreline affected by rise & fall of tides -alternates between marine & terrestrial | 93 | |
| 15017314892 | Sandy Shores | -no stable anchoring surface -most life exists beneath sand (class, sea worms, mole crabs) or among grains of sand (polychaete worms, hydroids, copepods) -no starfish or sea anemones like Pacific Coast b/c nothing to attach to |  | 94 |
| 15017327922 | What are the Shallow Ocean Zones? | -Coral Reefs -Seagrass Beds -Kelp Beds | 95 | |
| 15017330725 | Coral Reefs | -corals living in close association w/ algae -corals build skeleton like structure of calcium carbonate -sponges precipitate silica; ultimately results in massive reef structures -taxonomic & morphologic diversity of animals in coral reefs greater than any other ecosystem |  | 96 |
| 15017347173 | Seagrass Beds | -found on subtotal marine sediments composed of mud or fine sand -flowering plants that reproduce by vegetative growth & seeds -morphoplogically similar to land plants --> roots, stems, leaves, flowers |  | 97 |
| 15017365611 | Kelp Beds | -found in clear, shallow, temperate ocean waters -large stands of seaweed -specialized tissues resembling leaves (fronts) stems (stiles) and roots (holdfasts) -inhabited by sea urchins, lobsters, mussels, abalones, sea otters |  | 98 |
| 15017380827 | What are the Zones in the Open Ocean? | -Photic Zone -Below Photic Zone -Benthic Zone | 99 | |
| 15017387353 | How do animals try to remain in Photic Zone of Ocean? | -swimming -gas-filled bladders -decreasing density (chemical composition) -shape (projections) -animals want to stay here b/c light reaches so can still perform light processes | 100 | |
| 15017396627 | Below Photic Zone | -temperatures drop --> no light -pressures rise --> lots of water -fewer organisms -grazing on fallen detritus (copepods, crustaceans) -predators (fish, crustaceans, cephalopods) -fish w/ weak bone structure -fish lacking gas bladders | 101 | |
| 15017411587 | Benthic Zone (Ocean) | -ocean bottom -sparsely populated -near freezing -pressures would crush terrestrial organisms -sediments rich in organic matter --> dead things fall to bottom & stay there -bacteria, protists, sea stars, sea cucumbers -bioluminescence to lure prey -poorly understood | 102 |